The Birth of a Brewery Dream
In 1983, Barbara Groom, a pharmacist in her late 30s, yearned for something more fulfilling. Driving through Mendocino County, she saw a sign for a craft brewery in Hopland. It intrigued her, as she believed breweries were large-scale operations run by big companies.
“I said, ‘This is what I want to do for the rest of my life,’” Groom recalled, upon witnessing the brewing process firsthand.
California’s Mendocino Brewing Co. was the first brewpub licensed to sell craft beer made on-site. Groom felt her pharmacy days were over.
Pioneering Female Brewer
In 1990, Barbara Groom became one of the first female microbrewery owners in the U.S. by opening Lost Coast Brewery in Humboldt County. The brewery earned national acclaim, with Groom dubbed “craft beer’s original female gangster” by Hop Culture magazine.
Today, her business includes a facility able to fill 1,400 kegs daily. At 80, Groom plans to sell, seeking younger energy to continue her legacy.
Challenges for Craft Breweries
The craft beer industry saw significant growth in the 2010s. Yet, recent years have been challenging, with brewery closures surpassing new openings since 2025 due to high production costs and market saturation. There are 939 craft breweries in California, down from 987 in 2023.
Though finding a buyer might take time, Groom hopes for someone vibrant to take over.
From Pharmacy to Brewing
Groom, a farm girl from Stockton, tried various careers, including selling Avon makeup and furniture making. Nothing satisfied her creative side. Her visit to Hopland inspired her to spend six years learning brewing techniques and preparing financially.
In Eureka, Groom purchased a century-old building for Lost Coast Brewery, with a female business partner.
Innovative Marketing
The brewery struggled initially, but hiring a bar manager who suggested free chicken wings attracted patrons to taste the beer. The strategy worked effectively.
Future Adventures
Groom plans to pursue her passion for travel photography worldwide, visiting places like Iceland and Azerbaijan.
Despite initial hurdles, Groom achieved success independently and disregarded societal expectations. “A woman’s wort is never done,” she joked.